Walks and Talks

A long day leading a group of students in the mountains, turned into an even longer day than anticipated due to a chance encounter... 

We made a lovely journey through the northern Carneddau mountains in atmospherically cloudy, but dry conditions. I was working with Si, for the first time in years and it was great to take our groups on separate journeys, but still manage to meet up on a summit for lunch!

The groups and I were all enjoying the way the clouds would come and go. Views one minute, then thick mist the next.

I also had a bag of magnifying glasses with me, so after looking at the big scale mountain features, we took some time to explore the detail on the ground, which held a surprising array of colours.

After returning the group and packing away for the day, Si and I travelled home via the coffee roastery, so we could have time to chat. While we were there, I got chatting to a guy who was taking photos on an expensive looking camera. It turned out that he ran a magazine called Sidetracked. It's all about inspiring adventure and is full of expedition stories and amazing photos (right up my street!) - in fact I used to have a subscription, when it first started up.

Anyway, it soon transpired that he was hosting a film night at the roastery and that it started in about an hour. I was sharing a ride with Simon, so he drove me back to where I'd left my van that morning and then I drove back again - arriving just in time to see the first film!

As well as films, photo exhibitions amongst the machinery and a raffle, the highlight was listening to a a talk by Lakes based climber, Anna Taylor, about some inspirational travel and climbing stories 

As it was quite an intimate evening, with a small and friendly crowd, I had some good chats after the talks and films, eventually arriving home around 11pm!